Chapter 18: To the White Tower

The River Queen races down the Erinin toward Tar Valon, driven by a wind that has not slackened since the Amyrlin's party left Medo. In their cabin, Egwene tells Nynaeve about another dream: Rand in growing danger, and a masked man whose eyes are fire and who watches her with contempt. She suspects Rand is channeling, but will not tell Anaiya.

The Amyrlin comes alone to give them a lesson. She forms a sword and a paring knife from Air, then locks both women in place to show what the Power can do against muscle and steel. Provoked past her limit, Nynaeve slams the Amyrlin against the wall, and the Amyrlin answers by shielding her from the Source. Cut off, Nynaeve subsides; the lesson resumes.

Egwene works well, coaxing a flame to dance across her fingertips. Nynaeve, holding her temper in check, manages almost nothing, even after the Amyrlin forces a foul potion down her throat to try to rouse her again.

The ship reaches Tar Valon. Dragonmount stands black on the west bank, smoke leaking from its broken peak. The Amyrlin disembarks to ceremony and is gone before the two are noticed. They gather their bundles and walk ashore alone, where Sheriam, the Mistress of Novices, finds them. She confirms that Nynaeve will train as one of the Accepted and Egwene as a novice, and warns that the harshest part of training comes after a novice is raised, not before.